Updated October 2023
Most of us take painkillers now and again, but if they contain codeine, it is important to accept that you could develop an addiction. Unfortunately, the media focuses heavily on opioids such as Oxycontin, featured in the recent series DopeSick, and codeine addiction rarely gets much coverage.
Please share this post to help us raise awareness about the danger of codeine addiction and death from a codeine overdose.
What Is Codeine Addiction?
Codeine addiction means you no longer have control over the amount of codeine you take or how often you take it, and it can occur for various reasons. Even when taken as directed, using codeine for an extended period can result in dependency.
However, if you abuse codeine to enjoy the recreational effects, you will likely develop an even quicker dependence and tolerance. In turn, you take more to eliminate withdrawal symptoms or experience the same effects, which can quickly lead to addiction.
If you are constantly thinking about when you can take your next dose of codeine, then you are probably already addicted to it.
What Are the Signs of Codeine Addiction?
Recognising codeine addiction can be very difficult, especially when it is required to treat pain. Here are 10 common physical signs of codeine abuse to be aware of:
- Drowsiness
- Slurred speech
- Lack of coordination
- Dilated pupils
- Itching and skin rashes
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mood swings.
Changes in behaviour can be harder to notice at first. Some of the more apparent changes include:
- Withdrawing socially
- Missing work or school with complaints that only last for a day, such as headaches or stomach problems
- Losing interest in hobbies and activities
- Faking pain or injuries
- Relationship problems
- Performance problems at work.
Codeine Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms
Suffering from withdrawal symptoms can make it extremely challenging to stop taking codeine without addiction treatment. Codeine withdrawal symptoms typically occur within eight to 24 hours of the last dose and include:
- Irritability and feeling anxious
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea and stomach cramps
- Lack of appetite
- Insomnia and problems sleeping
- Watery eyes
- Runny nose
- Sweating for no apparent reason
- Muscle aches
- Increased heart rate.
Is Codeine Dangerous?
Codeine is an opioid that acts on the central nervous system (CNS) and is used to relieve mild to moderate pain. Codeine is the most common pain medication made from morphine. However, it is around 10% less potent because once it has been taken, it needs to be metabolised back into morphine by the liver.
Because codeine is regularly prescribed and much easier to come across than other opioids such as Oxycontin and Fentanyl, you may think it can’t be that harmful or addictive. Although codeine is not as potent as opiates like Oxycontin, in high doses, codeine can produce similar effects and cause almost identical physiological reactions.
Additionally, some people are ultra-rapid metabolisers of codeine, which means even in lower doses, it can be dangerous.
Like Oxycontin and more potent opioids, codeine is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. It is extremely dangerous in high doses, and death from codeine overdose can occur for various reasons, including respiratory depression (not breathing) and cardiac arrest. It is not generally apparent if someone is having a cardiac arrest after taking codeine, and they may appear to be sleeping.
Codeine Statistics
Many people generally become addicted to codeine and opioids after becoming dependent on them after receiving them as medications for legitimate reasons. When their medical prescriptions run out, they seek the opioids elsewhere, from untrustworthy sources and illegal avenues.
There has been a gradual increase in codeine-related deaths. The Office for National Statistics released a comprehensive report on drug-related deaths in the UK, and codeine-related deaths saw a sharp spike in around 2019-2020.
Additionally, codeine and other prescription drug abuse is more common among males. Half of all drug-related deaths involve an opioid, whether through overdosing or by mixing substances. This trend also matches the sharp increase seen in the United States.
In the UK, the North and South see distinctly different statistics. The North sees many more drug and codeine-related deaths and general drug abuse, especially during and after COVID-19. The South, especially London, sees a much less dramatic increase in those respective statistics.
These harrowing statistics highlight the importance of having comprehensive drug addiction support systems in the UK. Our clinics provide professional consultations and advice for any drug-related queries to help anyone seeking help.
Codeine Abuse Myths
Staying educated and aware of any drug-related issue can help people avoid addiction, recover in a healthy manner and avoid relapse for long-term detox success. Learning more about some codeine abuse myths can help you identify the truth about the drug so you can remain informed.
- Codeine is only addictive after long-term use: This is a myth because everyone reacts to substances differently. Unfortunately, there is a risk of addiction, even if your doctor helps you to prevent that from happening. Some individuals may become addicted to codeine after only a few uses.
- Codeine isn’t as addictive because it’s only a Class B drug: A drug’s class doesn’t affect its addictiveness. Opioids can be extremely addictive, even after only one set of prescribed medications.
- It’s easy to get over a codeine addiction: As with all substance addictions, regardless of class, an addiction to codeine might require substantial effort to recover from.
Risk of Codeine Overdose
In large enough quantities, just one instance of abuse can be fatal. The risk of overdose also increases when codeine is taken with alcohol. Respiratory failure is the most common cause of death and can sometimes be prevented with fast emergency medical treatment. If you or someone you know takes codeine, it is important to recognise the symptoms of an overdose.
Codeine overdose symptoms include:
- Extreme fatigue, drowsiness and drifting in and out of consciousness
- Confusion and disorientation
- Dizziness and feeling lightheaded or faint
- Slow breathing and laboured breathing
- Cold and clammy skin
- Bluish tint to fingernails and lips
- Severe stomach cramps
- Low blood pressure and a slow heart rate.
A non-fatal overdose from codeine can also lead to serious health consequences, such as brain damage, liver and kidney failure, and pulmonary oedema (abnormal fluid buildup in the lungs).
Codeine Addiction Recovery Process
Everyone’s recovery process when dealing with addiction looks different. Some people might be able to stop taking drugs or substances recreationally cold turkey, while some might require more personalised and careful treatment. Here are a few steps people go through to detox and recover from codeine addictions.
Detox Process
The first step of recovery is to try and flush out any remaining remnants of the drug in your body. This can take anywhere from one to three months, depending on the severity of the individual’s addiction. Although the detox process may last a few months, the psychological and physical withdrawal symptoms can take much longer to subside, sometimes lasting years. To ensure long-term recovery success, those recovering from addiction must focus on mindfully tending to the psychological detox.
There are several types of detoxes, treatments and programmes, such as:
- A 12-step programme
- 14-day treatments
- Short-term detoxes
- 28-day treatments
- Shorter seven-day treatments
- Residential rehab admission.
Support and Guidance
To help with psychological recovery from codeine abuse addiction, many people might participate in support and guidance groups. These could be non-profit independent institutions or, if admitted into rehab, the rehab may provide integrated support and guidance sessions.
Therapy and support groups are crucial to any addiction recovery process. Any psychological help programme might employ multiple methods to help individuals deal with their withdrawal symptoms and detox process. Some types of therapy might include:
- Support groups
- Cognitive behavioural therapy
- Trauma therapy
- Yoga, breathing and meditation
- Person-centred therapy
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Online therapy sessions and follow-up discussions
- Mindfulness sessions
- Dialectical behavioural therapy
- Experimental therapy.
Combined, these psychological treatment options can play a huge part in rewiring your brain to recover healthily from addiction and prevent relapse. Once you stop receiving psychological help in a frequent capacity, occasionally attending follow-up sessions can help keep you accountable for progress and positive action.
Relapse Prevention
To prevent relapse and ensure long-term recovery, individuals might undertake several hobbies and interests or attend recovery-related sessions. Talking about your recovery process with people in similar situations can help keep everyone accountable. Those who have suffered from addiction may feel tempted to relapse at any given moment, which takes great mental fortitude to resist. If you’re struggling with thoughts of relapse, you can seek more help on our London rehab support page or our Essex rehab page.
Treating Addictions to Codeine
Treatment for codeine addiction typically consists of a combination of a medically supervised detox and group and individual therapy. Codeine addiction won’t disappear if you ignore it, and you can seek advice from your GP if you have any concerns about your codeine use. Alternatively, you can get advice and help to find local addiction treatment on the FRANK website or by calling 0300 1236600.
NHS addiction treatment is almost always in an outpatient addiction treatment clinic. Many people don’t consider private residential rehab treatment due to the cost. However, the cost of treatment can vary considerably depending on which area of the UK you live in. Residential rehab tends to be more expensive in London. Finding private residential rehab centres in Essex and Kent or other counties close to London may reduce costs.
At Step by Step Recovery, we know how difficult it can be to seek help for addiction and how you may find it hard to accept you have an addiction to prescription drugs. We offer free advice and help if you are worried about codeine addiction.
Please complete our online assessment form or call our free phone number on 0800 170 1222 for free, confidential advice without any pressure.
